Meter-glass-cleaning device.



v PATENTED'AUG. 25, `1903.

J. G. MICEIE. i l METER GLASS CLEANING DEVICE.

APPLIUATION FILED NOV. B, 1902.

N0 KODBL.

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UNITED STATES 'Patented August 25, 1903.

JOHN CHAPMAN MIOHIE, OF DURHAM, NORTH CAROLINA.

METER-GLASS-CLEANIN DEVICE.

SPECIFICATION brmng part 0f Letters Patent No. 737,439, dated August 25, 1903.

Application led November 8, 1902. Seria1N0.l30,607. (No model.)

T0 all whom, it may concern: Y

Be it known that I, JOHN CHAPMAN MIGHIE, a citizen of the United States, residing at Durham, in the county of Durham and State of North Carolina, have invented a new and useful Meter-Glass-Oleaning Device, of which' the following is a specification.

This invention is a new, useful, and simple mechanical device for wiping and cleaning off the moisture precipitated on the inside of the glass covering the registering gear of water, gas, or electric meters, odometers, cyclometers, rbc.

The object of the invention is to enable the operator to clean the meter-glass on the inside that the figures may be clearly seen and read, rendering it unnecessary to break the glass or remove the cap which covers the registering machinery.

Another object is to enable the manufacturer to make a perfectly air-tight cover for the registering machinery whichiwill more than double the life of the meter and prevent corrosion and sticking of the parts or the obliteration of the iigures on the dial and preventing mistakes in reading and removing the necessity of breaking the glass or disturbing the cap. I

Vith these objects in view the invention consists in the peculiar construction and novel .combination of the various parts hereinafter described, and pointed out in the claims.

In the drawings forming part of this specication, Figure l is a perspective view of a meter-cap, showing the practical application of my device. Fig. 2 is a front elevation. Fig. 3 is a detail view, partly in section, showing the brush in elevation. Fig. 4 is a perspective view of the brush and sleeve detached. Fig. 5 is a modification, partly in section. Fig. 6 is a detached view of the brush shown in position in Fig. 5.

In carrying out my invention I employ a substantially U -shaped rod, preferably of brass, having a comparatively long member A and a short member A. The member A is surrounded by a cylindrical felt covering B.

C represents a meter-cap having the glass O covering the usual opening, the glass being perforated, preferably in a lower corner, and a double-flanged soft-rubber washer D fits snugly in said perforation, the flanges pressing on the inner and outer surfaces of the glass, respectively. The bow portion of the U -shaped rod rests in this washer or sleeve, and the felt B lies on the inner side of the glass. The member A being upon the outer side and being of a lesser diameter than the felt cylinder is held by the outer flange from contact with the glass. as a lever by which the felt B can be moved across the inner face of the glass.

In Fig. 5 I have shown a perforated eXteriorly-threaded boss E formed on one side of thecap and having a perforated internallythreaded cap-piece E. A rod F, having a milled head F,extends through the'cap-piece and into the meter-cap O. At its inner end the'rod is bent upward and carries a cylindrical felt b1'ushF2,wliich isof su ficient length to extend transversely across the numerals shown in the meter. By slidingthe rod back and forth the inner face of the glass over the numerals will be cleaned by the brush. Both the long and short brushes are cylindrical and may be secured to the rod by glue or in any way desired; yet preferably they are mounted loosely on the rod and adapted to rotate when drawn across the glass, whereby the entire felt surface is used.

By using my device it will not be necessary to make the cap O with a removable front plate in order to clean the inner surface of the glass.

Having thus fully described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is'- l.4 The combination with a meter-cap having a glassl cover-plate, a rod within the casinghaving one end extending without the casing, and a cylindrical brush revolubly carried by the inner portion of said rod, said brush being adapted to travel across the inner face of the glass.

2. The combination with a meter-cap, having a perforated glass cover-plate, an elastic The member A' acts y out the easing, said rod being adapted to be A moved through the space between the disks and the glass, and a brush carried by said rod ro and adapted to bear against the inner side of the glass.

Y JOHN CHAPMAN MICHIE. "Witnesses:

WM. A. GUTHRIE, WM. B. GUTHRIE. 

